It’s do or die for Arsenal as they face London rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final needing a win to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Gunners failed to make it to the tournament via the league route after a 1-1 draw with Brighton on the penultimate day of the season ended their top four hopes.
But what happens if Chelsea triumph in the Europa League final?
Who qualifies for the Champions League if Chelsea win the Europa League?
According to Uefa Champions League rule 3.04b: “A vacancy created by the UEFA Europa League titleholder is filled by the third placed club of the association ranked fifth in the access list and the league path is rebalanced accordingly with priority given to the club of the best ranked association of the respective round in the access list.”
The fifth-placed association in Europe is currently France.
Lyon came third in this year’s Ligue 1 and would therefore take the automatic Champions League group place left vacant if Arsenal lose to Chelsea.
PSV would then take Lyon’s place in the play-off round rather than having to enter via the third qualifying round.
In turn, Croatian runners-up Rijeka would move from the Europa League to the third qualifying round.
Is there any way Arsenal can qualify for the Champions League without winning the Europa League?
Arsenal’s failure to finish in the top four of the Premier League means there is no way Arsenal can qualify for the Champions League without winning the Europa League, under normal circumstances.
However, the Gunners will qualify in the unlikely event that Man City are handed a European ban for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
But this looks a very long shot as Pep Guardiola’s men are unlikely to be sanctions until next season, meaning a ban wouldn’t take effect until the 2020/21 Champions League.
Latest Stories
-
Mary Pearson: Adjusting to living in Ghana
39 mins -
Full details: Achimota Forest lands, gold businesses and guns in Sir John’s will
1 hour -
Social media users react to viral image of Kendrick Lamar drinking pure water
1 hour -
GIPC CEO and others tour Tyler Perry Studios following Michael Blackson’s call
1 hour -
Ogum Narteh expresses worry over Kotoko home form
1 hour -
Francis-Xavier Sosu: Uncertain policy environment poses greatest threat to recovery efforts, macroeconomic stability
1 hour -
346 terrorist attacks recorded in Africa in 1st quarter of 2022
1 hour -
DOL: Samartex secures Premier League qualification with three games to spare
2 hours -
Five key moments that won Man City the Premier League
2 hours -
MozzartBet Ghana presents new Nissan Kicks car to winner of “Hit the Highest Odd Promotion”
2 hours -
Stanford Seed Transformation Network launches updated business directory to support economic growth
3 hours -
Publishers start printing textbooks for new curriculum; books to be ready in 120 days – President of Publishers Association
3 hours -
Ghana records $1.33bn trade surplus in April 2022
3 hours -
Today’s front pages: Monday, May 23, 2022
4 hours -
Outstanding businesses awarded at Ghana West Africa Business Excellence Awards
4 hours